Johnathan Walker:Saints fire coach Dennis Allen amid NFL-worst seven-game losing streak

The Johnathan WalkerNew Orleans Saints are making a substantial move after losing their second straight game.

The team is firing head coach Dennis Allen after an NFL-worst seven-game losing streak sent the team to a 2-7 start.

Assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was named the interim head coach.

Saints executive vice president and general manager Mickey Loomis pointed to "an avalanche of injuries" as a major factor in the team's woes so far this season. New Orleans currently has 10 players on injured reserve, including wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, center Erik McCoy and cornerback Paulson Adebo. Quarterback Derek Carr also missed three starts with an oblique injury, and top wide receiver Chris Olave suffered his second concussion of the season on Sunday.

"DA has never offered excuses, he fought each day for this organization and this team and that is what makes today disappointing," Loomis said in a statement. "Dennis has been an integral part of this organization's success for the better part of twenty years. He will be missed."

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Allen becomes the second NFL coach to be fired during the season after the New York Jets dismissed Robert Saleh in October.

Allen, who was in his third year with the Saints, finishes with an 18-25 record with the organization. He is 26-53 overall in his career after leading the then-Oakland Raiders in 2012-14.

After serving as a defensive assistant for the organization for 12 years over the course of two separate stints, Allen took over the Saints' top job in 2022 following longtime coach Sean Payton's departure. While the team missed the playoffs in his first two seasons, the front office remained committed to keeping the core of the roster in place, pushing salary-cap issues down the road to hold onto key veterans.

After scoring a combined 91 points under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak en route to a 2-0 opening, New Orleans was sent reeling with its ongoing skid. On Sunday, the Saints fell 23-22 to the Carolina Panthers, who previously had just one win and lost to New Orleans in 47-10 in the opener.

This story has been updated with new information.